Teatro Español (Madrid) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Teatro Español

Façade of Teatro Español facing Plaza de Santa Ana
Address	Madrid Spain
Type	Theatre
Capacity	763
Construction
Opened	21 September 1583
Rebuilt	1887–1895
Architect	Román Guerrero
Website
https://www.teatroespanol.es/en

The Teatro Español (which means 'Spanish Theatre') is a famous public theatre in Madrid, Spain. It's managed by the city government. Long ago, it was known as Teatro del Príncipe and Corral del Príncipe.

This theatre started as an open-air stage in medieval times. Short plays and important classical works were performed there. In 1565, King Philip II officially allowed it to be built.

In the 1700s, Teatro del Príncipe became very popular. It had its own fan group called the "chorizos." These fans often argued with the "polacos," who preferred the rival Teatro de la Cruz. A famous play, La comedia nueva, was first shown here. Sadly, a fire destroyed the theatre on July 11, 1802. It reopened five years later after big renovations led by architect Juan de Villanueva.

The building you see today was built between 1887 and 1895. It was designed by Román Guerrero in a Neoclassical style. Right in front of the theatre is the Plaza de Santa Ana. This square was built after a 16th-century monastery was taken down. You can see the names of famous theatre people carved on the theatre's front, including Federico García Lorca.

The Theatre's Long History

From Corral to Teatro del Príncipe

The theatre started as the Teatro del Príncipe, also called Corral del Príncipe. A group called Cofradía de la Pasión y de la Soledad bought it in 1580. They also bought other nearby buildings. The theatre was built starting in May 1582. It opened on September 21, 1583, with a play by Vázquez and John of Ávila.

The early theatre had a stage and a room for costumes. There were seats for men and a special area for women. It also had balconies with iron railings. The courtyard was paved, and an awning offered shade from the sun. This original design stayed until 1735. Then, a new building was constructed by architect Juan Bautista Sacchetti. It took ten years to finish. At this time, its name changed from Corral del Príncipe to Teatro del Príncipe. It became one of the biggest theatres in Spain. In 1849, it was changed into the Teatro Español we know today. It was the only theatre in Madrid that still felt like an old open-air theatre.

During the time of King Philip II, Madrid had two main playhouses. One was Corral de la Cruz, and the other was Teatro del Principe. Both were near the Iglesia de San Sebastian. People loved theatre so much that two fan groups formed: the "chorizos" and the "polacos." The "chorizos" were supported by King Philip IV and writer Lope de Vega. The "polacos" were supported by the nobility. Their rivalry was so strong that they would try to mess up each other's shows! Sometimes, theatres were even closed because of their fights.

In the 1700s, both theatres were torn down and rebuilt. They were designed in an Italian style. They got modern features like a large stage with moving parts and artificial lights.

Becoming Teatro Español

In 1825, a French manager named John Grimaldi made many improvements. He updated the lighting and stage props. By a royal order, Teatro del Príncipe officially changed its name to Teatro Español in 1849. It could hold 1,200 people. The city council owned it, but the Spanish government rented it. A new theatre model was introduced with a play by Calderon de la Barca on April 8, 1849. The writer Ventura de la Vega became the theatre's director.

Between 1887 and 1894, architect Roman Guerrero completely rebuilt the theatre. This gave it the look it has today. It reopened on January 12, 1895. The famous actress María Guerrero managed the theatre for a while. She put on plays by important writers like Benito Pérez Galdós and Nobel Prize winner Jacinto Benavente. Guerrero managed the theatre until 1909. For the next 20 years, different people managed it. They promised to keep showing classic Spanish plays.

From 1930 to 1935, companies led by Margarita Xirgu and Enrique Borrás used the theatre. They premiered plays by Federico Garcia Lorca and Rafael Alberti. During the Spanish Civil War, actor Manuel González managed the theatre. He put on a play called El alcalde de Zalamea on March 28, 1939. This was the day Francisco Franco's troops took Madrid.

After the war, the Teatro Español changed how it was run. It reopened on April 15, 1939. The city still owned it, but the Spanish government took over its management. In 1940, a national council for theatres was created. It had two parts: Teatro Nacional Español, for classic plays, and Teatro María Guerrero.

The Ministry of Education managed the theatre for many years. Later, the Ministry of Information and Tourism took over. For ten years, Cayetano Luca de Tena was the director. Then, in 1954, José Tamayo and his company "Lope de Vega" took over. Famous actors like Núria Espert and Adolfo Marsillach performed there. During this time, new plays like Historia de una escalera were shown. Also, plays by modern foreign writers like J.B. Priestley were introduced.

On October 19, 1975, another fire damaged the theatre. It was rebuilt until April 16, 1980. After a year of being managed by both the Ministry of Culture and the City Council, the theatre went back to the city of Madrid on October 16, 1981. It now holds 763 people. In 2005, the old cafeteria became a room for small events. Since 2007, the theatre also manages events at Naves del Español. This theatre is located in the Matadero Madrid cultural center.

Who Has Directed the Theatre?

Here are some of the people who have directed the Teatro Español:

See also

In Spanish: Teatro Español para niños